Six Ways to Create Family Christmas Traditions

We are on time! Perhaps thinking about last Christmas she still regrets all the things he wanted to do with his family and couldn’t, due to lack of time. But now she has several weeks to think about how she wants to create an unforgettable Christmas season for your children.

Generating positive experiences for children has a protective effect that will help them better cope with adverse situations. In that season, some families that have not emphasized adopting the general traditions can create their own, according to their principles, beliefs and tastes.

Even if you don’t put up a tree or have dinner on Christmas Eve, it doesn’t mean you can’t decorate the house with cheerful or meaningful motifs, more than ostentatious. The important thing is that children remember the time they spent together, more than the gifts they receive each year.

Toys and brands will be quickly forgotten, maybe one or two special gifts will stick in the memory, but what happens around the family gathering, or lack thereof, will determine the emotions your children will have about the holiday season until they are adults: “Mom cooked delicious food”, or “We visited the grandparents” or “Dad was not there”.

Offer them the opportunity to spend time together, not just in the same place, but doing something as a family. Some of these suggestions will work for those who do celebrate Christmas. Others will be easy to adopt for those who want to create memorable moments.

1. Give your child a tree ornament each year. If you are a mom, dad, uncle, or grandma, make this a special moment. Choose an ornament that sums up a special memory of the year. Did the kid win a trophy, did he learn to ride a bike, did he go on a special trip? Make it a keepsake and give it to him to hang on the tree. Try to choose decorations that are durable, rather than flashy. Glass spheres, for example, are very elegant, but they are easily destroyed in the hands of a child or when there are animals in the house.
2. Watch a Christmas movie together each year. It can be the same. It can be several sessions of My poor angel, The Grinch either Matilda, or a selection of related films, or whatever you prefer, but make it something reserved to be done with the family once a year.
3. Pick a family to help. Not only can you donate to an organization (although that’s a great idea), but you can think of people you know who are going through a difficult time, illness, unemployment, or bereavement. Together, decide how you can show affection in a practical way. If you are going to give food or gifts, take your children with you to choose what to give, even if you cannot take them to deliver it. If your children are older and you want them to be a part of something bigger, join a group that serves meals in homes, or gathering supplies for one of the food banks of the city and other charitable initiatives.
4. Take up an old habit: give paper Christmas cards to your loved ones. A good option is to make them at home; with drawings of their children or with a family photograph signed with their own handwriting. Or also buy cards that benefit an institution in favor of children or the elderly, to give an example. Don’t want to be in the photos? Dress up your dog or cat and give it a modeling session. But never leave an animal alone in a suit or costume. Take it off as soon as the photo is done.
5. Make a special dessert together. Whether it’s cookies, cakes or jelly, try to give the recipe a twist and give it a name. They can put together little packets to share, and to go along with the family card.
6. A special dinner doesn’t mean you have to dress up and buy a turkey (although you may as well if you want to). It means being together consciously, listening to each other, being encouraged to talk and share, expressing gratitude for everything they have and also the affection they feel for each other.

And for those who already had the party planned, the American Academy of Pediatrics has another suggestion: don’t overdo the festivities. This means maintain meal and sleep hours for children. Even if there are purchases, visits or trips, try to maintain regularity to avoid later problems of children who have eaten a lot of sweets or are angry because they are hungry or sleepy.

Don’t feel pressured to shower your children with gifts, either. It is understandable to want to fulfill all the wishes that have been expressed throughout the year in December, but if he has to limit himself to one, it will be enough. You also don’t have to look at the most expensive order or electronic devices. Find something fun, appropriate for the child’s age, according to his interests and that allows him to think and spend a lot of time mentally and physically active.

And if you think your child is old enough for a digital device, be it a phone, tablet or game console, talk about responsible use right away. Holidays for Christmas and New Years should not be an excuse to stay up playing or skip meals to finish a game.

Toys with batteries or magnets have age minimums, because a small child could swallow them and have serious internal injuries. This is the same for any small part in a take-apart toy.

Since they have decided to decorate together, stay alert to potential fire hazards, Because in general, the decorations tend to be flammable or incorporate lights, batteries or an electrical connection. Beware of faulty cords, outlets, and light bulbs that heat up quickly.

If you are visiting with grandparents or uncles, talk to your children before you go and remind them that there are certain limits in other people’s houses, and make sure they stay away from cleaning or laundry areas, the kitchen, or any other place where there is a fire or hot objects. During the party, keep an eye on your children, even if they tell you they will be playing with other children. A responsible adult should be nearby at all times. (F)